Cushion with integral protective covering

ABSTRACT

Camping gear has a storage bag permanently attached thereto which provides an internal storage chamber for receiving and storing the camping gear therein when the gear is in a collapsed position. A pocket is secured to a surface of the gear and the storage bag is secured at one end within the pocket and stored therein when not in use. Prior to placing the camping gear in the collapsed position, the storage bag is pulled from the pocket and is either rolled over the collapsed gear for placing the gear within the storage chamber or the collapsed gear is inserted into the storage chamber of the bag through an elongated opening formed in the bag. An opening can be formed in one end of the bag for inserting the gear into the storage chamber and is closed by a drawstring. A handle or strap is attached to the storage bag for carrying the camping gear after being placed in the storage bag. Alternatively, the invention is a cushion having an integral waterproof protective covering permanently attached to the cushion. The protective covering includes and opening communicating with a storage chamber formed within the protective covering, and wherein the cushion is insertable through the opening and into the storage chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/238,948, filed Sep. 26, 2008; the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to storage devices and in particular to aself-contained storage device securely attached to an article such as apiece of camping gear. Even more particularly, the invention relates tocamping gear having a storage bag affixed to the gear for storing thecamping gear within the bag after the camping gear has been placed intoa collapsed position. Alternatively, the invention relates to a seatcushion having a waterproof protective covering affixed to the cushionfor selectively protecting the cushion from water.

2. Background Information

Camping items and sports event items are used intermittently and usuallymust be hand carried to and from the camping area or sporting event.Items such as sleeping bags and collapsible chairs or seats generallyhave a separate storage or carrying bag in which the sleeping bag orchair is stored when in a collapsed position which could include ahandle or strap for ease in carrying the item. These carrying andstorage bags must be kept nearby when the sleeping bag or chair is inuse so that when the user is finished with the item and it is collapsed,it can then be reinserted into the storage bag.

This storage bag occasionally becomes lost or misplaced making itextremely difficult to carry the item, especially folding chairs to andfrom the event. It also requires that a new bag be used for the sleepingbag to prevent it from becoming damaged or soiled by the terrain andenvironment to which it is exposed if the original bag is lost.

Therefore there is a need for a storage and transportation bag forvarious articles and in particular, for camping gear such as sleepingbags, tents, folding chairs, etc. which is permanently attached to thegear and which is easily utilized for placement about the gear withoutexcessive manipulation of the gear and protective carrying and storagebag.

In addition to storage, it may be necessary to provide protection fromweather elements for various outdoor articles, such as outdoor furnitureseat cushions. Seat cushions are often left on outdoor furniture duringinclement weather and may become water-logged and moldy from thisexposure. Due to the low weight and balloon-like structure of typicalprotective coverings, wind may blow the protective covering away.Therefore there is a need for a protective covering which is permanentlyattached to various articles and in particular, for an outdoor seatcushion which has a non-waterproof outer layer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a type of camping gearsuch as a sleeping bag, tent, folding chair etc. with a storage andcarrying bag that is permanently attached to the piece of gearpreventing its loss or misplacement when not used, for subsequentstoring and carrying the particular piece of gear after being foldedinto a collapsed position.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide such a piece ofcamping gear in which the storage and carrying bag attached thereto iseasily pulled from a protective pocket formed or attached to the pieceof camping gear. Afterwhich the bag is inverted and rolled over thecollapsed camping gear and secured in a closed position by various typesof fasteners. Alternately, the storage bag can be provided with anelongated opening for insertion of the camping gear into the storagechamber formed by the bag afterwhich the elongated opening is securelyclosed.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide the storage bagwith carrying handles or straps to facilitate manually carrying thestored piece of gear to and from a camping site or sporting event.

A further feature of the present invention is to secure a pocket ontothe back of the seat of a foldable sporting chair or on an outsidesurface of the sleeping bag in which the storage bag is secured, such asby stitching within the interior of the pocket, enabling the bag to bepulled from the pocket into an elongated extended position, with one endof the bag being open and the opposite end being closed and secured inthe pocket. After the elongated bag is pulled from the pocket andelongated, it is inverted and rolled over the sleeping bag, tent,camping chair or the like. The opening is then secured preferably by adrawstring, Velcro® fastener, etc.

These objectives and advantages of the present invention are obtained bycamping gear which is movable between an expanded usable position and acollapsed storage position; and which has a storage bag permanentlyattached to the camping gear that has an end opening communicating witha storage chamber formed within said bag, and wherein the camping gearis insertable through the bag opening and into the storage chamber whenin the collapsed position.

One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is to providea protective covering affixed to a seat cushion to provide an encasementto protect the seat cushion from weather elements. The protectivecovering may be a bag-like structure having one closed end of the bagaffixed to the seat cushion, and an open opposite end for encasing theseat cushion.

Another aspect of this embodiment is to provide a waterproof protectivecovering affixed to a non-waterproof outer layer of a seat cushion.

Another feature of this embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a storage chamber formed within the protective covering toselectively encase the seat cushion.

A further aspect of this embodiment is to provide a pocket on the outerlayer of the seat cushion, to provide a storage area for the protectivecovering.

These features and advantages of this further embodiment of the presentinvention are obtained by a seat cushion with an integral protectivecovering, and comprising a padding surrounded by a case and a protectivecovering permanently attached to the case, wherein the protectivecovering includes an opening communicating with a storage chamber formedwithin the protective covering, and wherein the cushion is insertablethrough the opening and into the storage chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode inwhich Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth inthe following description and is shown in the drawings and isparticularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top perspective view of a sleeping bag with thepocket and storage bag shown in dot-dash lines stitched on the outsidesurface of a bottom corner of the bag.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view showing the sleeping bag being in apartially folded position.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the sleeping bag in afully rolled collapsed position with the storage bag being pulled fromthe storage pocket.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the storage bag beinginverted and partially rolled over the rolled collapsed sleeping bag.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 4 with the storage bagbeing pulled further over the rolled collapsed sleeping bag.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing thesleeping bag completely stored within the storage bag and the drawstringin a tightened closed position.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another type of campinggear illustrated as a folding chair with the storage bag attached to therear of the seat back.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic back elevational view of the folding campingchair of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view similar to FIG. 8 showing the storagebag in an extended position after being pulled from the pocket on theback of the chair seat.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing the camping chair ina collapsed position and the storage bag being inverted and partiallypulled over the collapsed chair.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the collapsed campingchair of FIG. 10 completely closed within the storage bag and thedrawstring in a tightened closed position.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of a camping chair as shown in FIG. 8with a modified storage bag attached thereto.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic rear elevational view of the folding chair ofFIG. 12 with the modified storage bag in an extended position from thestorage pocket.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the collapsed chair of FIG. 12being enclosed within the storage bag of FIG. 13 with the access openingpartially open.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 14 with the chair beingfully inserted and stored within the storage bag with the access openingshown in a fully closed position.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic top view showing a further embodiment of thepresent invention wherein a protective covering is permanently attachedto a cushion.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic top view similar to FIG. 16 with theprotective covering extending from a storage pocket.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic top view with the protective coveringpartially folded back and forming a storage chamber.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic top view similar to FIG. 18 with the cushionpartially inserted into the storage chamber formed by the protectivecovering and with the inserted portion of the cushion shown in phantom.

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic top view with the cushion completely insertedinto the storage container formed by the protective covering and withthe cushion shown in phantom.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cushion with theprotective covering fully removed from the pocket.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cushion with theprotective covering partially folded back and forming a storagecontainer.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 22 with thecushion partially inserted into the storage container formed by theprotective covering.

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic perspective view with the cushion completelyinserted into the storage container formed by the protective covering.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One type of camping gear incorporating the features of the presentinvention is a sleeping bag indicated generally at 1, and shown in FIGS.1-6. Sleeping bag 1 is of a usual construction having an outer shellindicated generally at 3, preferably having a closed end 4 and at leastone closed side 5 with another side 6 which could have a zipper closure(not shown), all of which terminate in a top opening 8. Sleeping bag 1will have a complimentary shaped inner shell 11 with various layers andtypes of insulation material (not shown) located between outer shell 3and inner shell 11.

In accordance with one of the features of the invention, a pocketindicated generally at 13 is secured such as by stitching to outer shell3, preferably in a lower corner of the sleeping bag adjacent closed end4. Pocket 13 will have an opening 15 and preferably will have some typeof closure therefore such as a hook and pile Velcro® fastener, snaps orsimilar closure devices.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a storage bagindicated generally at 17 (FIG. 3), is contained within pocket 13preferably having a lower end 19 thereof secured within the interior ofpocket 13 by stitching 21 or other type of attachment device. Bag 17 hasa second end 23 providing a generally circular opening 25 and preferablyhaving some type of closure device such as a drawstring 27. Bag 17 whenin an extended position and pulled out of pocket 13 as shown in FIG. 3,will have an elongated tubular configuration which provides an internalstorage chamber 29 into which the sleeping bag is received as shown inFIGS. 4-6 and described below.

When the storage bag of the present invention is used with sleeping bag1, pocket 13 retains storage bag 17 therein when in a collapsed orfolded secured position without affecting the manner of use of sleepingbag 1 nor adding any appreciable weight or bulk thereto. After thesleeping bag has been used, the camper usually will fold the sleepingbag in half as shown in FIG. 2, afterwhich it is then rolled into acylinder such as shown in FIG. 3. The camper then pulls bag 17 fromwithin pocket 13 to a full extended position as shown in FIG. 3,afterwhich bag 17 is inverted and pulled over the rolled sleeping bag inthe direction of Arrow A as shown in FIG. 4, with the sleeping bagextending into the formed storage chamber 29 through bag end opening 25.Storage bag 17 is pulled completely along the outer surface of rolledsleeping bag 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 until reaching a full invertedextended position as shown in FIG. 6 in which the entire sleeping bag islocated within storage compartment 29. End opening 25 is then closedeasily by use of drawstring 27 providing the completely rolled sleepingbag fully protected by storage bag 17. If desired, a carrying handle 31could always be attached to bag 17 so that it is located externally ofthe bag when the bag is in its fully inverted position for enclosing bag1 therein as shown in FIG. 6, to facilitate the carrying of the storedsleeping bag if desired.

Storage bag 17 and pocket 13 can be formed of various materials such asnylon or other synthetic materials, and if desired, storage bag 17 couldbe formed of a water impervious or resistant material to further protectthe sleeping bag from rain or snow when stored therein as shown in FIG.6.

A modified form of the present invention is shown particularly in FIGS.7-15 and is in the form of a readily collapsible folding sports or campchair indicated generally at 35. Chair 35 is of the usual knownconstruction having a frame formed by a plurality of vertical tubularmembers 37 and a plurality of interconnected diagonally extendingtubular members 39 which are hinged at 40 and 42 enabling the chair tobe collapsed into an elongated configuration as shown in FIG. 10.Tubular members 37 and 39 join at three or more supporting feet 38.Chair 35 has a fabric seat 41 supported on the tubular members and willhave a flexible fabric rear back support 43 connected at the upper endsof vertical support members 37. The chair may also have flexible fabricarms 45 which when fully expanded forms a comfortable chair with seat 41and back support 43, yet is easily collapsible into a compact conditionas shown in FIG. 10. Some examples of collapsible chairs similar tochair 35 are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,984,406; 6,454,348; 6,601,912 and6,899,383. However, it is readily understood that various types offoldable or collapsible chairs can be utilized than those in the aboveidentified patents and shown in the drawings.

In accordance with one of the features of the invention, a storagepocket 47 is secured by sewing, an adhesive etc., to a back surface 46of back support 43. Pocket 47 has an opening 48 into which is secured astorage bag 49 as shown in FIG. 9. Bag 49 is secured within pocket 47preferably by stitching 50 as shown in FIG. 9, or by other attachmentmeans. Storage bag 49 when in a fully extended position (FIG. 9) afterbeing pulled out of pocket 47 preferably with have an elongated tubularconfiguration similar to that of storage bag 17. Bag 49 has a top endopening 51 which can be secured in a closed position by a drawstring 53or other types of closures. Furthermore, a carrying strap 55 preferablyis secured to bag 49 for carrying the collapsed, stored chair.

The features and manner of use of storage bag 49 which is attached tochair 35 is similar to that of storage bag 17 and sleeping bag 1, and isshown particularly in FIGS. 9-11. When chair 35 is in use as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, bag 49 is concealed and secured within storage pocket 47and is accessible through opening 48. Prior to collapsing folding chair35 to a position as shown in FIG. 10, storage bag 49 will be pulled outof storage pocket 47 through opening 48 to a fully extended position(FIG. 9) afterwhich the chair is then collapsed into the foldedelongated condition as shown in FIG. 10. Storage bag 49 is then invertedand rolled over the elongated collapsed chair in the direction of ArrowB through end opening 51 which will expose carrying strap 55. The chairwill slide easily within the internal storage chamber 58 formed withinstorage bag 49 through end opening 51 as the bag is pulled completelyover the folded chair in the direction of Arrow B, FIG. 10 untilcompletely enclosing the chair in bag 49. Afterwhich drawstring 53 istightened to further close open end 51 completely enclosing and securingcollapsed chair 35 therein. The enclosed end of storage bag 49 ismaintained attached to chair 35 either to storage pocket 47 or flexibleback support 43 of the chair, and cannot be lost or misplaced after thechair has been removed from within storage chamber 58. The storage bagis easily collapsed and reinserted into storage pocket 47 throughopening 48 after it is rolled off the collapsed chair and retainedwithin the internal storage chamber 58 as shown in FIG. 11 when thechair is being used.

Again the procedure for storing chair 35 is similar to that of storageof sleeping bag 1 within storage bag 17. That is, storage bags 17 and 49are easily pulled outwardly from their respective storage pockets 13 and47 and then are inverted and rolled along collapsed sleeping bag 1 andchair 35 respectively, until completely enclosing the bag and chairwithin the respective storage chambers, afterwhich the open ends of thebags are fully or partially closed by use of drawstrings 27 and 53.

A slightly modified form of the chair storage bag is shown in FIGS.12-15 in which a modified storage bag 60 is secured within storagepocket 47 by stitching 50. Bag 60 has a similar elongated tubularconfiguration as that of storage bags 17 and 49 when removed from thepocket, except that an elongated opening 62 is formed longitudinallyalong bag 60 replacing the circular top openings 25 and 51 of bags 17and 49. Bag 60 is provided with a pair of mating hook and pile strips 64and 65 such as Velcro®, extending along elongated opening 62. A pair ofcarrying handles 67 may also be secured to bag 60 similar to carryinghandle or strap 55 of bag 49.

After bag 60 has been pulled outwardly from pocket 47 to a fullyextended position as shown in FIG. 13, chair 35 is collapsed to theposition of FIG. 14 and inserted into the interior of bag 60 throughopening 62 as bag 60 is slipped about the folded chair to the positionas shown in FIG. 14. After folded chair 35 has been inserted into theinterior of storage bag 60, through opening 62, the hook and pile strips64 and 65 are mated to form a fully closed storage bag as shown in FIG.15. Handles 67 enable the stored chair to be carried easily to and fromthe campsite or outdoor event.

It is readily understood by referring to FIG. 9, that the storage bag 49could actually be stitched directly to flexible chair back support 43and be folded into itself to function both as its own storage pocketeliminating the need for a separate storage pocket 47 as shown in thedrawings and described below. However, a separate storage pocket inwhich the storage bag is contained is preferable to provide for a morepleasing and compact construction and increased protection for thestorage bag.

In summary, the camping gear of the present invention, whether it be asleeping bag or chair as shown in the drawings and described below, or abackpacker's tent or similar piece of camping equipment, will have itsown self-contained and permanently attached storage bag which alsofunctions as a carrying bag for the gear when collapsed into a compactstorage condition. The bag is either folded into itself or placed in aseparate storage pocket which is permanently attached to the campinggear, with the storage bag being permanently attached either directly tothe camping gear itself or to the interior of the pocket. The bag iseasily pulled out and rolled over the collapsed camping gear and closedby a drawstring, Velcro® fastener or other types of closure devices toprovide a very compact piece of camping equipment stored or otherportable article stored within its own outer protective bag, which bagalso functions as the means for carrying the article. The bag preferablywill have an elongated tubular configuration having a length slightlygreater than the length of the article when in a folded position tocompletely enclose the article as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11.

It is also readily understood that although the invention is describedabove with respect to a sleeping bag and chair for camping equipment, italso could be used for other types of portable equipment, articles orthe like, not necessarily used for camping, wherein it is desired toprovide a device which is easily collapsible, preferably into anelongated configuration, so as to be stored within the storage bag.Furthermore, the storage bag could have a more rectangular shape whichwould not require the complete collapsing of an article prior to foldingthe extended storage bag over the device for storage.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 16-24 in which aseat cushion 100 is formed with an integral protective covering 117.Cushion 100 preferably has a square or rectangular shape, but may beformed in any shape, including circular. Cushion 100 includes a padding103 surrounded by a case 102, and further includes a first end 104 and aspaced apart second end 106, and a storage pocket 113 affixed to case102. Pocket 113 includes a pocket opening 115 wherein a lower end 119 ofprotective covering 117 is affixed. An upper end 123 of protectivecovering 117 is generally spaced apart from lower end 115 and forms anopening 125.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, protective covering 117 preferably ispacked and held entirely within pocket 113 when not protecting cushion100 from the weather. Protective covering 117 is released from pocket113 through pocket opening 115 to expose the entire protective covering117 from upper end 123 to lower end 119 which remains affixed withinpocket 113. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 21, protective covering 117 isgenerally formed in the same size and shape of cushion 100, and sized toextend from first end 104 of cushion 100 to second end 106.

Once protective covering 117 is fully removed from within pocket 113, itis inverted to encase cushion 100 in the method shown in FIGS. 18-20 and22-24. Protective covering 117 is inverted about a fold 121 which isformed by retracting a first surface 109 of protective covering 117whereby upper end 123 is generally proximate lower end 119, with firstsurface 109 folded back onto itself. This creates fold 121 and exposes asecond surface 111 formed opposite first surface 109 on protectivecovering 117.

The inverting of protective covering 117 further creates a storagechamber 129, in which cushion 100 is inserted. As shown in FIGS. 19 and23, first end 104 of cushion 100 is inserted into storage chamber 129though opening 125 in protective covering 117. As shown in FIGS. 20 and24, once first end 103 of cushion 100 is enveloped by storage chamber129, the user simply inserts the remaining portion to completely encasecushion 100 within protective covering 117. Opening 125 may be closeableby various closings such as drawstring 27 as shown in FIGS. 3-6, or azipper, or Velcro® 64, 65, as shown in FIG. 13. Cushion 100 is removablyheld within storage chamber until the user desires to remove cushion100. When the user wishes to remove cushion 100 from within storagechamber 129, the process of folding protective covering 117 about fold121 is simply reversed, and protective covering 117 is stored withinpocket 113.

If desired, carrying handles similar to carrying handle 55 or 67 asshown in FIGS. 11 and 15, may be attached to a second surface 111 ofprotective covering 117 to facilitate the carrying of cushion 100.

It is readily understood by referring to FIGS. 16-24 that protectivecover 117 could be stitched directly to case 102 without a separatestorage pocket 113.

It is readily understood that protective cover 117 may be used toprevent water from penetrating cushion 100. As such, protective cover117 preferably is formed from a waterproof material, and case 102 may beformed from a non-waterproof material.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A cushion with an integral protective covering comprising: a cushion;and a protective covering permanently attached to the cushion, whereinthe protective covering includes an opening communicating with a storagechamber formed within the protective covering, and wherein the cushionis insertable through the opening and into the storage chamber.
 2. Thecushion defined in claim 1 wherein the protective covering includes aclosure for closing the opening of the protective covering after thecushion is inserted into the storage chamber.
 3. The cushion defined inclaim 2 wherein a pocket is affixed to the cushion, and wherein theprotective covering is securely attached within the pocket and isexpandable therefrom for receiving the cushion.
 4. The cushion definedin claim 3 wherein the protective covering has an elongatedconfiguration with first and second opposed ends, wherein the first endis secured within the pocket and wherein the opening is formed in thesecond end of the protective covering.
 5. The cushion defined in claim 3wherein the cushion is formed of a non-waterproof material, and theprotective covering is formed of a waterproof material.
 6. The cushiondefined in claim 1 further comprising a carrying strap attached to theprotective covering.
 7. The cushion defined in claim 1 wherein theopening is an elongated opening extending along the protective covering,and wherein a closure extends along at least a portion of the opening.8. The cushion defined in claim 7 wherein the closure is one of adrawstring and Velcro® extending about the opening of the protectivecovering for closing the opening when the cushion is in the storagechamber.
 9. A combination seat cushion and protective covering, whereinthe seat cushion comprises: a padding; and a case surrounding thepadding, wherein the case is formed of a non-waterproof material; andthe protective covering is formed of a waterproof material andpermanently attached to the case, wherein the protective coveringincludes an opening communicating with a storage chamber formed withinthe protective covering, and wherein the seat cushion is insertablethrough the opening and into the storage chamber.
 10. The articledefined in claim 9 wherein the protective covering includes a closurefor closing the opening after the seat cushion has been inserted intothe storage chamber.
 11. The combination defined in claim 10, furthercomprising a pocket affixed to the case, whereby the protective coveringis securely attached within the pocket, and wherein the protectivecovering is expandable therefrom for receiving the seat cushion.
 12. Thecombination defined in claim 9, further comprising a carrying strapattached to the protective covering for carrying the seat cushion whenthe seat cushion is in the storage chamber.
 13. The combination definedin claim 9 wherein the protective covering has an elongatedconfiguration with a length greater than a length of the seat cushion,and whereby the seat cushion is completely enclosed within theprotective covering.
 14. A method of removably encasing a cushion withina protective covering comprising the steps of: providing a protectivecovering securely attached to the cushion and forming an internalstorage chamber; expanding the protective covering to an elongatedconfiguration; inverting the expanded protective covering and pullingthe protective covering over the cushion to place the cushion in thestorage chamber.
 15. The method defined in claim 14 including the stepsof providing an end opening in a free end of the expanded protectivecovering; and closing said end opening by a drawstring after the cushionhas been placed in the storage chamber.
 16. The method defined in claim14 including the steps of providing the cushion with a pocket secured toan external surface of the cushion; securing a first end of theprotective covering to the cushion; and storing the protective coveringwithin the pocket until the protective covering is expanded into theelongated configuration and pulled over the cushion.
 17. The methoddefined in claim 16 including the step of providing a carrying strap onthe protective covering.
 18. The method defined in claim 16 includingthe step of forming the protective covering of a waterproof material.